Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Well today is Kristen's last day in Paraguay. I cannot even imagine what she is going through. She made the comment in her letter on Monday that it still really doesn't seem real. I guarantee that when she goes to the mission home tonight it is all going to hit her like a ton of bricks. I hope that she is doing okay and that Friday morning comes really fast for her! It is so difficult being on this side of a mission too. So many times you wish you could just be there for her and help out but you kind of can't. All we can do is pray and trust in the Lord.

I am soooo grateful that she decided to serve a mission. I cannot even begin to list all of the blessings that we have received from her service. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the reason we were able to adopt Saige and Gage so quickly was because of her. It amazes me how the Lord truly does bless you, and your family, when you are in His service. I also know that she too has been tremendously blessed because of her service. I have seen such tremendous growth in my sister that I know she could have only obtained from her serving a mission. I am grateful for her strength and wonderful example.

During her service she has missed many once in a lifetime events. In fact the very day she arrived in Paraguay our niece Miss Lola entered into the world. Just to think that she hasn't even seen Lola is so weird! In the Spring of last year we were able to be sealed to Mason and Michelle and the later to Saige and Gage. I know that this too was very difficult for her to miss because as she likes to say they are her kids! And then just

a couple of months ago our brother lost his dear father. I know that missing such great and trying moments wherein being together as a family is so important was extremely difficult for her.

I know that things will be different when she gets home, as they should be. I just pray that she will be able to transition well and things will continue to wor

k out for her.

Thank you all so much for your support during these last 18 months. Lonnie and I too have had some big changes in our home. From the addition of another little one to a major job change for Lonnie. Without such amazing and wonderful family and friends I don't know how we would have gotten through it all. Thank you!

I have to share what I thought was such a neat analogy that she shared with us on Mother's Day. She stated that serving a mission is kind of like a mini plan of salvation. You have your pre-mortal life, which was her life here at home and then you are given your call to serve. You then prepare to leave your pre-mortal life to go on to a place that

you know you must go to learn and grow and gain knowledge that you could otherwise not obtain, your mission. Then you are called into eternal life and are back with your family. I thought that this was very interesting and so true.

Thank you again Kristen for your service! And may I just say "well done thy good and faithful servant, well done".

Saturday, May 16, 2009

So, just in case you happened to forget....Kristen comes home Friday morning! Time has really gone by so fast lately. I just hope that she is doing alright with trying to adjust to coming home!

I finally did it! Yep, I ordered five Sunday papers each week! Crazy I know but I'm hoping to save even more on food! I will give it a fair chance and see what happens. I know a lot of people who have had success with this so let's hope it works for us.

I'm excited to get to go the Temple this afternoon with family. Lonnie's cousin and his cousin's fiance are both going through for their own endowment. It will be so nice to just relax and soak up the wonderful Spirit that is found within the House of the Lord. Not to mention the peace and quiet away from kiddos and the crazy everyday world.

There is an awesome class on Tuesday evening about canning meats and making salsa and all kinds of yummy stuff. I can't wait to learn more! This week I will be making our laundry detergent, canning butter (thanks Sherri), making homemade granola bars, making homemade condensed soups, and trying to make white bread to see if Mr. Mason will eat it! Lots going on this next week! Have a fun weekend!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Movies Include: Kung Fu Panda, The Longshots, Madagascar 2, Horton Hears a Who, Journey to the Center of the Earth, The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, Igo, The Tale of Depereaux, Nim's Island, and Space Chimps

I went and picked these up this afternoon. I didn't know that you had to buy a ticket for each person, I thought that the deal included one adult ticket and one child ticket...wrong! I still went a head and got a child's ticket for Mason and Michelle and two adult tickets. So I spent $20 and got 40 movie tickets! Not bad at all! Just as an FYI they have already sold out for Wednesdays and Thursdays. They are currently selling Tuesdays and then will move onto Mondays and then they are done.

Go get them while they last!

BTW: We will be visiting good old Cali on Tuesday, June 16. Therefore, I have 4 tickets for that Tuesday. The movie is Igor. The first person to request them...they are yours!

Monday, May 11, 2009

with this... Gage's hair?One crazy looking kiddo! And here is the best picture of all four of them that we could get really quick! So, what do you think should we straighten it more often? I know what you are thinking, how sad that his hair is long enough to straighten. We are waiting for my sister to get home from her mission before we cut it. Don't worry she gets home in 11 days!!